US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said an American strike on Iran "is simply not on the agenda," despite the United States' continued criticism of Iran's human rights record and potential nuclear weapons.

Asked while in London, Rice said there is broad international agreement that Iran cannot be allowed to use a civilian nuclear power project to conceal a weapons program.

After a meeting with British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, Rice was asked directly whether the United States might attack Iran. "The question is simply not on the agenda at this point," Rice said at a news conference.

The United States and its allies still have diplomatic means to persuade Iran to halt any weapons development, Rice said.